Later,
At The Very Moment The Army Moved Up To The Battle Of San Juan This
Same Major-General Was
Relieved of his command on account of illness.
Had he sensibly taken care of himself, when the moment came when
He
was needed, he would have been able to better serve his brigade and
his country. In contrast to this pose is the conduct of the veteran
hunter, or old soldier. When he gets into camp his first thought,
after he has cared for his horse, is for his own comfort. He does
not wolf down a cold supper and then spread his blanket wherever he
happens to be standing. He knows that, especially at night, it is
unfair to ask his stomach to digest cold rations. He knows that the
warmth of his body is needed to help him to sleep soundly, not to
fight chunks of canned meat. So, no matter how sleepy he may be, he
takes the time to build a fire and boil a cup of tea or coffee. Its
warmth aids digestion and saves his stomach from working overtime.
Nor will he act on the theory that he is "so tired he can sleep
anywhere." For a few hours the man who does that may sleep the sleep
of exhaustion. But before day breaks he will feel under him the
roots and stones, and when he awakes he is stiff, sore and
unrefreshed. Ten minutes spent in digging holes for hips and
shoulder-blades, in collecting grass and branches to spread beneath
his blanket, and leaves to stuff in his boots for a pillow, will give
him a whole night of comfort and start him well and fit on the next
day's tramp.
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